A modern hotel is no longer just a place to spend the night – it has become a space of experiences, emotions, and storytelling. This idea guided the team behind the design of the Mercure Tallinn hotel, whose interiors were created by Aure Studio from Warsaw and enriched with artistic installations by Edyta Barańska (Barańska Design) and photography by Moodauthors. The result of this Polish collaboration is a multidimensional, sensual, and expressive space, which in 2023 was honored with a Platinum MUSE Design Award in the categories Interior Design – Hospitality and Hotel & Resorts, as well as the LIV Hospitality Design Award.
Nature and legend as a starting point
The inspiration for the interior design came from Estonian nature and a local legend about Lake Ülemiste, located near the hotel. The designers at Aure Studio sought to capture the spirit of the place – not literally, but through a palette of colors, materials, lighting, and spatial structure.
“Estonian nature has something mystical, almost fairytale-like about it,” says Martyna Wojtasik, architect and founder of Aure Studio. “On one hand, we had this industrial hotel building with raw concrete and large-format glazing, and on the other – we wanted to introduce softness, light, and organic forms to balance that rawness and create a welcoming atmosphere.”
The interiors subtly but distinctly reference an underwater world. You’ll find organic furniture shapes, wooden tables resembling water lilies, metal details with irregular textures, and above all – glass, which plays a central role in this project.
Glass as a storytelling medium
The artistic glass installations were created by Edyta Barańska of Barańska Design. In the hotel foyer, she designed a composition inspired by a school of fish, made from hand-shaped glass. In the restaurant, a three-dimensional bas-relief evokes the surface of water with submerged plants, stretching nearly 2.5 meters in length. Both works are more than decoration – they are part of a narrative about the place, its history, and its atmosphere.
“From the beginning, Martyna and I shared a sense of trust and mutual sensitivity,” says Edyta Barańska. “We searched for forms that would reflect the ‘volcanic’ nature of glass, its sculptural quality, and at the same time, harmonize with the hotel’s architecture and the mood of Tallinn. Water was a key inspiration, but also local stories. It wasn’t a quick realization – we began with miniatures, then chose details together. I would describe the pieces, send photos, and Martyna would come to view them in person.”
An artistic bar with underwater structure
One of the most striking elements of the project is the glass bar, created by Edyta Barańska specifically for the hotel’s restaurant. It is not only a functional piece of furniture but also an artistic object – a monumental sheet of glass that resembles an underwater structure overgrown with algae. The organic texture and delicate refractions of light make the glass come alive – it shifts depending on the time of day, the angle of view, and the intensity of light.
“This countertop is really a functional sculpture,” says the artist. “I wanted it to be practical, of course, but also to tell a story. Within the glass, you can see movement and depth – as if something is alive beneath the surface. My inspiration came from algae and underwater vegetation I’ve observed myself.”
The bar perfectly complements the overall interior concept – connecting the natural world with contemporary design. It’s both subtle and bold, refined and surprising. It’s one of those elements that stays with you. Seemingly just a countertop, yet in reality – the focal point of the space.
Creative freedom and shared vision
The collaboration between the architect and the artist was no coincidence – the two had worked together before and developed a working relationship based on mutual understanding.
“Whenever we bring in artists, we provide a direction, but never impose a rigid vision,” explains Martyna. “We leave room for their own expression. And Edyta thrives in that space – her work is very distinctive, textural, and at the same time consistent with the overall concept.”
In the Mercure Tallinn project, not only form was important, but also the role of light. Initially, the building’s glass facade posed a challenge – on sunny days the interiors were too bright and uncomfortable.
“We designed a system of perforated panels and sheer curtains that not only solved the issue of excessive light but also introduced a whole new visual quality,” the architect explains. “Throughout the day, light draws different patterns on the walls – the interior shifts and surprises. A flaw became an asset.”
Art as an essential element
For Aure Studio, art is not an accessory in interior design – especially in public spaces – but a necessity. As Martyna Wojtasik emphasizes: “An interior without art lacks emotional resonance. And it’s precisely through emotion that we want to build a connection with the guest.”
The glass installations by Edyta Barańska not only support this idea but bring it to life – becoming a material expression of the fusion of nature, light, and local identity with modern, international design.
Polish design with an international voice
The Mercure Tallinn project shows that Polish design – through creative collaboration and bold exploration of materials – can confidently stand out in the European hospitality market. It’s a project where architecture, art, and functionality speak in unison, and trust between creators proves to be the key.
“It was a truly exceptional collaboration,” concludes Edyta Barańska. “A joint project where we really listened to each other, complemented each other, and created something more than just a ‘pretty interior’. It’s a space with soul.”
Interior design: Aure Studio, architect Martyna Wojtasik
Artistic glass installations: Edyta Barańska / Barańska Design
Photography: Moodauthors
Awards:
– MUSE Design Awards 2023 – Platinum Winner in Interior Design – Hospitality and Hotel & Resorts
– LIV Hospitality Design Awards 2023
About
Edyta Barańska, a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław, has been running her studio for over 20 years, creating unique designs for chandeliers, artistic installations, monuments, and fountains. Her works adorn the interiors of renowned five-star hotels such as Hilton, Sheraton, and Marriott, as well as private residences around the world – from New York to Dubai.
